Flash device for a camera and a photographing system with an artificial illuminator

ABSTRACT

In the flash device disclosed, the quantity of light emitted by a flash illuminator is varied on the basis of the time integration of a light intensity. A controller varies the operation of the illuminator on the basis of the distance between the camera and the scene being illuminated.

United States Patent 1 Takishima et al.

[4 1 Jan. 16,1973

CONTROL D I [54] FLASH DEVICE FOR A CAMERA AND June 12, 1970 Japan ..45/58284 A PHOTOGRAPHING SYSTEM WITH get. 22,41 917907 0 .JIapan jg/332212 ug. apan AN ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATOR Oct. 2, 1970 Japan ..45/98262 [75] Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takishima; Y ki 1....-

Mashi b h f T k Japan [52] [1.8. CI. ..95/ll.5, 95/45, 315/227 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 9/70 [731 Ass'gnw f Kabushl'" Ka'sha, Tokyo, 58 1 Field of Search ..95/11, 11.5,45; 315/227 apan 22 Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 1 References Cited [21] App]. No.: 100,286 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,426,661 2/1969 Wick et al ..95/1 1.5 R [30] Foreign Application Prim-fly Data 3,418,904 12/1968 Wick et al 95/1 1.5 R

Dec. 27, 1969 Japan ..45/789 Examiner samuel S Matthews Dec. 27, 1969 Japan .."45/79O Assistant Examiner RichaI-d A wintercorn Jan. 19, 1970 Japan ..45/4932 Atmmey Tren and McGeady Jan. 19, 1970 Japan.... ..45/4933 March 6, 1970 Japan.... ..45/19583 5 ABSTRACT May 15, 1970 Japan ..45/41955 May 18, 1970 Japan In the flash device disclosed the quantity of light yum 1, 1970 45/47330 emitted by a flash |llummat0r 1s vane i on the basis of Tanfffffifi" 15555;, 1575572 the time integration of a light intensity. A controller May 19, 1970 Japan ..45/49007 varies the Operation of the illumihator on the basis 0f May 22, 1970 Japan ..45/50369 the distance between the camera and the scene being May 30, 1970 Japan ..45/53140 illuminated. June 1, 1970 Japan ..45/54129 58 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures G GUIDE NUMBER CONTROL FL AS H CIRCUIT 1 CONTROL CC FC FL 1 cmcurr 1 I 5s 1 FLASH l LLU M IN ATOR l FLA S H OPERATOR" 0 E .-EXPO$URE C CONTROL I I I l E 1 FOCUS 1ND|CATOR PATENTED MI IBB 3.710.701

' SHEET 01 0F 15 G GUIDE NUMBER CONTROL FLASH CIRCUIT- CONTROL c c CC F.C EL 3 L I (FLASH ILLUMINATOR FLASH EXPOSURE OPERATOR F.0 j E.C CONTROL I l l m! I ffg D I --/IND|CATOR Light Amount Light Amount FlG.1-B

Time

INVENTO yosmvum TAHISh fiM yaw/0 MASHIHO Texmd/no fi 0 ATTORN 7'5 PATENTEDJANIBIHTS 3.710.701

sum OSUF 15' INVENTORfi YOSHlYU/(l TAKIS IMA BY yuxlo rmsHmo Mama Mk ATTU PATENTEDJAHBIQYS 3.710.701

SHEET USBF 15 CAPACITOR\\ I/DISGHARGE TUBE 2 L a] as l l AUXILIARY VOLTAGE l. .T ggn'gg CONTROL CIRCUIT CAPACITOR K TRIGGER [CAMERA cmcun CONTROL CIRCUIT G o 73 29 2 l. i .11 1 F- 72 56 59 g 69 70 71 F S7 4 75 mvEN'roRS YOShIW/H/ T HI H/HA \[UHIO MAS IHO wwzw PATENTEDJAN 16 I975 3.710.701

SHEET 10 0F 15 VOLTAGE 137 SOURCE 145 E6 I4 7 f I00 I VOLTAGE l CONTROL 1 l J A J 11.: FIG. 20

VOLTAGE SOURCE KTIMER CIRCUIT WWW ' ATTOR E PATENTEDJAH 16 ms 3.710.701 SHEET 11 0F 15 FIG.21

1, DETECTOR AND CONTROL l NVENTORS YOSH/Yl/fl/ TANISHIHAA BY yqnlo HASH! H0 SHEET 150F15 PATENTEDJAN 16 I975 mmdI INVENTOffi YUA'I TAHISHIHA BY HASH/N0 Tama/wwgw' FLASH DEVICE FOR A CAMERA AND A PHOTOGRAPI-IING SYSTEM WITH AN ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATOR This invention relates to a flash device for a camera and particularly to a photographic system using artificial illumination having means for controlling the quantity of light emitted.

Conventional cameras can use the flash system disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,033,988. Such a system is suitable for most applications of flash photography. However, conventional cameras do not require adaptation of the flash system to complicated photographic operations.

It is desirable to use flash devices whose light output is controlled with cameras having electronic exposure controls.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a flash device and a photographing system to which a high degree of technics of photographing can be applied.

Another object of the present invention lie in a flash device for a camera and a photographing system with an artificial illuminator comprising a controller for the control of a light amount irradiated from the artificial illuminator as a time integration of a light intensity and irradiated in accordance with the operation of an operator for the controller in a manner that the light amount corresponds at least to an illumination distance.

Other objects and features of the present invention lie in provision of a gaseous discharge tube of tri-electrodes or the like as the illuminator and lie in provision of a gaseous discharge tube as the illuminator in combination with a quenching discharge tube for termination of illumination from the gaseous discharge tube.

The present invention is advantageous for an automatic focus control of a camera with an illuminator provided thereon.

Still other objects and features as well as advantages of the present invention will be understood from the following descriptions in reference with the attached drawings.

FIG. I is a block diagram for illustrating the present invention.

FIG. l-A and FIG. l-B are graphs showing the relation between light intensity and illumination time to attain a controlled amount of light illumination from an illuminator.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of a speed light device with an illuminating discharge tube and a quenching discharge tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit construction of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit construction of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a circuit construction of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows schematically an operator mechanism which is applicable to the flash device or the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a circuit construction of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of a sixth embodiment of the speed light device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram ofa seventh embodiment of the speed light device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relation between the voltage across a main capacitor and the time.

FIG. 15 shows a circuit construction of a part of the seventh embodiment with some modification.

FIG. 16 shows a circuit diagram of an eighth embodiment of the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a circuit diagram of a nineth embodiment of the flash device according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows schematically an operator mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 9 but with some modification, which is applicable to the ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic block diagram of a tenth embodiment of the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows a modification of the tenth embodiment in part.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of an eleventh embodiment of the speed light device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are circuit constructions respectively of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 24 shows a circuit diagram of a twelfth embodiment similar to the eleventh embodiment with some modification.

FIG. 25 shows a circuit diagram of a thirteenth embodiment of the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a circuit diagram of a fourteenth embodiment of the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 shows a circuit diagram of a fifteenth embodiment of the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a graph showing the relation between the voltage across a main capacitor and the time in case of the fifteenth embodiment.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are conventional di-electrode type.

FIG. 31 to FIG. 33 are discharge tubes of tri-electrode type according to the present invention.

FIG. 34 shows a block diagram of a sixteenth embodiment of the speed light device and the photographing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, D is a focus or distance control, C.C. is a control circuit for a flash circuit RC, and F.L. is a flash illuminator. L is light from the illuminator F.L., G is a guide number control for the control circuit discharge tubes of C.C., F.O. is a flash operator, F..C. is an exposure controllcr and l is an indicating means. Functional description will be made on the signal flow shown by the dotted line in FIG. I.

When the focus control D is set for the distance to the object to be photographed, the control circuit C.C. is adjusted directly or through the flash operator F .O. to control the light L from the illuminator F.L.

Upon signal flow through the flash operator F.O., the exposure control E.C. is controlled by the flash operator F.O., and the indicator I displays its indication.

Next, functional description will be made on the signal flow shown by the solid line in FIG. 1.

The guide number control G set the control circuit C.C. to control the flash circuit F.C. to produce a controlled amount of light L from the illuminator FL.

The flash operator F .0. receives a control signal from the control circuit C.C. and a distance signal from the focus control D to effect appropriate operation of the exposure control E.C. as well as to effect an indication of the indicator I.

The control of light amount may be effected as shown in FIG. l-A or FIG. l-B.

In FIG. l-A, L, shows an appropriate amount of light L from the illuminator F.L., 2, shows the time for obtaining the appropriate amount of light L. In this case power supply to the illuminator is preferably constant. In order to produce the appropriate light amount L,, the illuminator should be prevented from illuminating beyond the time t by the disconnecting of the power supply to the illuminator or by the termination of illumination of the illuminator.

In case of FIG. 1-8, the power supply to the illuminator is controlled for example by changing the voltage supplied to the illuminator to deliver the appropriate light amount L, of the light L.

The first embodiment of the present invention refers to a speed light device used for flash photography which controls the amount of light on the basis of photographing informations.

There exist speed light devices in which the charging voltage across a main capacitor is detected and the diaphragm mechanism of a camera is controlled with it. In others the residual charge across a main capacitor is discharged, by being short-circuited by a by-pass discharge tube as soon as a proper exposure value is reached, while the light reflected from the object is integrated so that the lighting up of a gaseous discharge tube ceases halfway.

In the latter case, the proper exposure value can not always be obtained on the basis of the state of object to be photographed. Further the light amount by the speed light device being limited, the range of shooting distance in which a photograph can be taken is disadvantageously limited in case when the diaphragm is pre-chosen to a certain desired value. It is all the more disadvantageous that the above-mentioned limited range can not be confirmed in advance.

The first embodiment of the present invention involves a speed light device which is rendered free from the beforementioned weak points of the conventional speed light device with automatic light control, by setting the time of the discharge of residual charge through a by-pass discharge tube in advance in accordance with photographic information, such as shooting distance; The terminal voltage across the main capacitor is fed back to the light quantity control circuit in such a manner that the timed discharge by the by-pass discharge tube is adjusted. In order to compensate for the increase or decrease of the pre-set light quantity, the light quantity corresponding to guide number of the photoflash discharge tube is influenced by the charge loaded in the main capacitor.

FIG. 2 'shows a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the speed light device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, l is an electric source for a speed light device, 2 is a main capacitor, 3 is a variable resistor to detect the voltage charged across the main capacitor 2, 4 is a gas discharge tube with its trigger circuit, 5 is a by-pass discharge tube, 6 is a trigger circuit of the bypass discharge tube 5, 7 is a silicon controlled rectifier, 8 is a diode, 9 is a condenser composing a stabilizing circuit of the feed back circuit together with the diode 8, 10 is a detector transistor of the feed back circuit, 11 is a double base diode, 12 is a change-over switch for an automatic control or a manuel control, 13 is a timer condensor determining the time constant of the termination of the by-pass tube 5, l4'is a photoelectric element of CdS, 15 is a variable resistor for photographing informations such as shooting distance sensibility of film, diaphragm value, 16 is a main switch, and 17 is a battery.

Below the operation of the device shown in FIG. 2 is explained in detail.

When the change-over switch 12 is switched over to the terminal A, the resistance value of the photoelectric element 14 is determined by the light reflected from the object to be photographed, and the light amount control circuit works with the time constant determined by the above resistance value and the capacitance value of the timer condensor 13 so that the lighting up of the gas discharge tube 4 is ended half-w ay through its normal cycle by means of the by-pass discharge tube 5. So far this represents the operation of the speed light device with the automatic light control.

When the change-over switch 12 is switched over to the terminal M, the flash photography information such as the sensitivity of film, diaphragm value, shooting distance etc. are set by the variable resistor 15. When the trigger circuit of the gas discharge tube is actuated for example by the shutter release, the discharge tube 4 lights up. When the switch of the electric source 7 is closed synchronously, the double base diode 11 permits the flow of electric current therethrough after the delay in time caused by the time constant circuit consisting of the pre-set resistor 15 and of the timer condensor l3, and the silicon controlled rectifier 7 is turned on to permit the flow of electric current by the output from the double base diode.

Thus a pulse is generated by the trigger circuit 6 of the by-pass discharge tube 5, and the by-pass discharge-tube 5 is short-circuited to discharge the residual charge across the main capacitor 2. Therefore, the photoflash discharge tube 4 stops lighting up halfway through its normal cycle so that the proper exposure is obtained.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in order to compensate the change of the guide number of the photoflash discharge tube 4 due to a charged state of the main capacitor 2, the terminal voltage across the main capacitor 2 is detected by the variable resistor 3 to feed back its output through the stabilizing circuit composed of the diode 8 and the condensor 9 to the base of the transistor 10. The out-put from the transistor 10 controls the bias time of the double-base diode in such a manner as to control the time to stop the light up of the discharge tube 4 by means of the bypass discharge tube. In consequence the bias time to stop the light up becomes shorter than that determined only by the resistor and the timer condensor 13 because the bias to the double base diode 11 becomes lower when the voltage across the main capacitor 2 is higher. On the other hand the time to stop the lightening up is delayed, when the voltage across the main capacitor is low. In this manner that the light amount is adjusted.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of a modification of the first embodiment of the speed light device according to the present invention. In FIGS. 2 and 3 like references numerals designate like parts. In FIG. 3, a detector transistor 18 responds .to the detecting circuit for sensing the voltage across the main capacitor 2. Transistors l9 and form part of the light quantity control circuit. The voltage across the main capacitor 2 is detected through the diode 8 by the transistor 18, with whose out-put the bias of the transistor 19 is controlled. The time at which the transistors 19 and 20 permit the flow of electric current with the time constant determined by the value of the resistance of the photoelectric element 14 or of the variable resistor 15 for setting the photographic information is adjusted with the out-put of the transistor 18 of the detecting circuit. The silicon controlled rectifier is turned on similarly.

As above-mentioned in case of the first embodiment ofthe speed light device, the by-pass discharge tube 4 is let to work with the photographing informations for flash photography in such a manner that the lightening up of the photoflash discharge tube 4 ceases half-way, whereby the speed light device provides a circuit for adjusting the change of the light amount depending upon the charged state of the main capacitor 2, so that in case of flash photography any desired diaphragm value can be chosen while the exposure obtained in this way can be made remarkably correct so that a very effective and a convenient speed light device is constructed. I

Referring to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, C shows a camera provided with a photometric circuit 25, and F shows a flash device coupled with the camera C. The camera C comprises a diaphragm mechanism 21, a reference pointer 22 positioned in a view window provided for example in a camera finder and associated with the diaphragm mechanism 21, and an ammeter 24 with its pointer 23 connected to the photometric circuit 25. The photometric circuit 25 comprises a photo-conductor of CdS 36 and a variable resistor 37 for the photographing informations. 35 is,.a battery for the photometric circuit 25 and 38 is a variable resistor 23 for photographing informations.

While the flash device F comprises a variable power source 26 for the control of the photometric circuit 25 of the camera c. 27 is a timer circuit, 28 is a guide number controller, and 29 is a neon indicator tube. 30 is a power source for the timer circuit 27, 31 is a switch of the timer circuit 27, 32 is a zener diode, 33 is a detector transistor, and 34 is an emitter resistor of the transistor 33 to control the photometric circuit 25. 39 is a variable resistor for the guide number, 40 is a timer capacitor, 41 is a switching transistor as a timer starter switch, and 42 is a timer transistor. A resistor 43 and a condensor 44 in combination deliver the timer start signal to the switching transistor 41 when the trigger circuit of the gaseous discharge tube 4 is triggered and the discharge tube 4 starts its illumination. A variable resistor'45 contribute to compensate the time constant of the timer circuit 27 when the neon discharge tube 29 indicates an operational state of the flash device F.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain an appropriate exposure value under a desired diaphragm value or under a desirable guide member value by detecting and delivering the signal corresponding to the voltage across the main capacitor 2 to adjust the guide member adjuster 28 and by controlling the timer circuit 27 for the light amount control and the photometric circuit 25 of the camera in accordance with the detected signal.

The detected signal delivers a stop signal to the power source 1 to stop the power supply for charging the main capacitor 2 in case when the voltage across the main capacitor 2 reaches a certain operable level.

Referring to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, 46 is a super charger switch for permitting the power supply to the main capacitor 2 by its opening, 47 is a diode, and 48 is a controller circuit for the control of a camera 50 and for the control of the termination through the by-pass tube 5 of the discharge tube 4. 49 is a gate including the neon discharge tube 29 and the super charger switch 46.

In this embodiment, the diaphragm mechanism 21 is associated with the ammeter 24.

According to this embodiment, a functions are similar to those in case of the second embodiment, but the diaphragm mechanism 21 is controlled by the ammeter 24, and the super charger switch 46 permits the super charging across the main capacitor 2 by its openmg.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a variable resistor SI is adjusted according to the calculated indication of a calculator (shown in FIG. 9) for adjusting the amount of light in correspondence to the values input to the calculator. The calculator comprises a ring 52 for diaphragm adjustment which is fixed to a reference member 54 with a reference mark, a disc 53 for shooting distance adjustment and guide number indication. The disc 53 is provided with a view window 55 for film sensitivity. The film sensitivity scale is fixed to the flash device, and when the disc 53 is rotated at a position where a scale reading for the sensitivity of the film used is viewed through the window 55. Next the ring 52 with reference member 54 is rotated to coincide the shooting distance reading with the diaphragm value settled to the camera for obtaining a guide member reading for an appropriate photographing.

The first to fourth embodiments described hereinbefore are common in that the quenching tube functions as a by-pass element for the termination of the main capacitor and the main discharge tube of dielectrode type.

However, in the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a quenching tube 76 is provided for ignition of the discharge tube 4 with the aid of an auxiliarycapacitor 81. I

With the provision of the quenching tube 76 and auxiliary capacitor 81, the discharge tube 4 becomes operable in a wide range of its light out-put.

In FIG. 10, 81 is a power source for the device, 82 is a voltage control circuit, 83 is a camera control circuit, 84 is a current source such as a main capacitor, 85 is a discharge tube, 86 is a switching means of a quenching tube, 87 is a trigger circuit both for the discharge tube 85 and the switching means 86, and 88 is a current source such as an auxiliary capacitor.

A direct current out-put of high voltage from the power source 81 is given to the main capacitor 84 through the voltage control circuit 82 to charge the main capacitor 84, while the direct current out-put of high voltage is directly given to the auxiliary capacitor 84 to charge itself. The voltage control circuit 82 comprises an adjustable element for setting a certain guide number corresponding to the photographing informations, and the voltage control circuit is controlled by the pre-set of the adjustable element to effect changes in its charging voltage for the main capacitor 84.

When the main capacitor 84 and the auxiliary capacitor 88 are charged up, the terminal voltage across the capacitor 88 becomes equal to the out-put voltage from the power source 81. After the completion of charging of the both capacitors 84 and 88 from the power source 81, when the trigger circuit 87 is triggered with the aid of a synchronizer of a camera, the discharge tube 85 and the switching means 86 are simultaneously triggered by the trigger pulse from the trigger circuit 87. This trigger pulse inverts the switching means 86 in a short-circuited state and the charge across the auxiliary capacitor 86 is ready to discharge across the discharge tube 85. While synchronously the trigger pulse is given to the discharge tube 85 to permit the excitation of the illumination by high voltage of the auxiliary capacitor 88. Thus the charge ready to discharge contributes to excite the illumination of the discharge tube 85. By the excited illumination, the impedance of the discharge tube 85 is lowered, and the charges across the main capacitor is permitted to contribute for a successive illumination of the discharge tube.

In this way, even when the terminal voltage across the main capacitor 84 is lower than the voltage for illumination of the dischargetube 85. The illumination is brought and maintained as the illumination is excited by the high voltage from the auxiliary capacitor 88. Therefore, the guide number of the speed light device is changed as desired by adjusting in a wide range the charged voltage across the main capacitor 84 from the voltage control circuit 82.

In FIG. 11, 62 is an oscillator transistor, 56 and 57 are transistors constituting an oscillation control circuit, 61 is a transformer both for oscillation and step-up action of thevoltage, 58 is a power switch for a battery 59, and 60 is a rectifier. These parts constitute a transisterized power source.

64 to 66 are transistors for the voltage control circuit 82, 67 is a Zener diode, 70 and 71 are transistors for a detector circuit of a differential amplifier construction, 68 and 73 are variable resistors for adjustment of the photographing informations such as guide numbers, and shooting distance respectively, 74 is a switching transistor for preventing an excessive charging, and 29 is a neon lamp, 75 is a load resistor for the detection of the excessive charging. These parts constitute a voltage control circuit.

77 to constitute the trigger circuit 87 in which, 77 is a transformer, 78 is a condensor, 79 is a silicon controlled rectifier and 80 is a synchronizer. 76 is a by-pass tube as a switching means 86 and 81 is an auxiliary capacitor.

By the circuit shown in FIG. 11 the charge across the main capacitor is detected by detector differential am plifier with input terminals 69 and 72, and the detected signal controls the stoppage of the current flow through the transistor 64. The potential at a connecting point 63 is equal to the potential given to the discharge tube 4 for its excitation through the by-pass tube 76 triggered by the trigger circuit 87 of the parts 77 to 80.

The sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 refers to a speed light device for photoflash, whose light amount can be varied in a wide range. In case of taking a photograph using a conventional speed light device, it is impossible to choose any diaphragm value, because the guide number or light amount of the device is generally fixed and the diaphragm value depends exclusively upon the photographing distance. In order to obtain a certain desired diaphragm value by varying the light amount of speed light device, a controllor to set the diaphragm value of camera automatically corresponding to the guide number, functionally connecting the speed light device with the circuit of exposure meter is provided with the embodiments mentioned above. On the other hand, the method to change the guide number at the speed light side is that the capacity of the main capacitor isswitched over in such a manner that the charge to be charged across the capacitor and therefor the light amount is changed. Another method is that the voltage for charging the capacitor is changed, whereby, however, the lightening up range of photoflash discharge tube is limited so that the light amount can only be controlled within a very narrow range, which is quite disadvantageous.

The sixth embodiment offers a speed light device in which the voltage for charging the main capacitor is controlled in order to obtain a desired light amount. With this embodiment the photoflash discharge tube can always be lighted up even if the terminal voltage across the main capacitor varies in a considerably wide range in such a manner that a speed light device whose guide number is varied in a wide range is easily realized.

Below the sixth embodiment is explained in details according to FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, l is a high voltage power source for speed light device such as a direct current to a direct current converting circuit including a transistor oscillation circuit. 60 is a resistor of a diode, 64 and 89 respectively a transistor composing a stoppage circuit for controlling and charging supplied voltage across the main capacitor 2, 90 is a photoelectric element composing a photocoupler together with a neon lamp 29. 91 is a resistor, 45 the variable resistor for adjusting charged voltage across the main capacitor 2, 94 a resistor for a by-pass discharging circuit, 93 a switching transistor for the discharging circuit, 92 a 

1. A flash device for a camera, comprising an illuminator for irradiating light, a controller coupled to said illuminator for controlling the quantity of light irradiated by said illuminator as time integration of a light intensity, and operator adjustable means in said controller for varying the operation of said controller on the basis of the distance between the camera and the scene being illuminated.
 2. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 which further comprises a guide number operator.
 3. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 which further comprises a flash operator for flash photographing.
 4. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 in which the controller comprises a main capacitor for voltage supplied to the illuminator.
 5. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 in which the artificial illuminator comprises a discharge tube of dielectrode type.
 6. A flash device for a camera according to claim 5 in which the controller comprises a quenching tube.
 7. A flash device for a camera according to claim 6 in which the quenching tube is terminated by a timer.
 8. A flash device for a camera according to claim 7 in which the timer has variable time constant corresponDing to at least an illumination distance.
 9. A flash device for a camera according to claim 7 in which the timer compensates the variation of supplied voltage to the discharge tube.
 10. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 in which the controller controls supplied voltage to the illuminator.
 11. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 in which the controller comprises at least a part of a detector of the supplied voltage to the illuminator.
 12. A flash device for a camera according to claim 7 in which the timer starts with an illumination signal of the discharge tube.
 13. A flash device for a camera according to claim 10 in which the controller comprises a means for enhancement of the supplied voltage.
 14. A flash device for a camera according to claim 10 in which the controller comprises a means for reduction of the supplied voltage.
 15. A flash device for a camera according to claim 3 in which the flash operator comprises a flash exposure calculator and the flash operator is adjusted by the calculated value of the calculator.
 16. A flash device for a camera according to claim 6 in which the discharge tube and the quenching tube are simultaneously triggered by a trigger circuit.
 17. A flash device for a camera according to claim 4 in which the controller further comprises a secondary capacitor.
 18. A flash device for a camera according to claim 1 in which the illuminator comprises a discharge tube of trielectrodes.
 19. A flash device for a camera according to claim 18 in which the discharge tube is provided both with a main capacitor and an auxiliary capacitor.
 20. A flash device for a camera according to claim 19 in which the supplied voltage to the main capacitor is controllable.
 21. A flash device for a camera according to claim 20 in which the controller further comprises a detector circuit for the control of the supplied voltage to the main capacitor.
 22. A flash device for a camera according to claim 21 in which the detector circuit comprises a means for discharging an excessive charge across the main capacitor.
 23. A flash device for a camera according to claim 20 in which the main capacitor is charged stepwise from a secondary with the aid of a switching means.
 24. A flash device for a camera according to claim 3 in which the switching means is synchronized with the trigger circuit of the discharge tube.
 25. A flash device for a camera according to claim 24 in which the trigger circuit is triggered by a starter of oscillator construction.
 26. A flash device for a camera according to claim 11 in which the detector comprises an indicating means such as an ammeter.
 27. A flash device for a camera according to claim 26 which further comprises a flash exposure calculator which controls the light amount from the discharge tube.
 28. A flash device for a camera according to claim 10 in which the controller comprises a semi-conductor such as a transistor and a silicon controlled rectifier.
 29. A flash device for a camera according to claim 5 in which the controller comprises a main capacitor and a sub-capacitor for intermmittent successive illumination.
 30. A flash device for a camera according to claim 18 which further comprises different power sources which are switched over from one to the other by a switching means.
 31. A flash device for a camera according to claim 18 in which controller further comprises a by-pass tube.
 32. A flash device for a camera according to claim 7 in which a resistor is connected in series with the discharge tube and the time constant of the timer is compensated for the variation of supplied voltage to the main capacitor.
 33. A flash device for a camera according to claim 32 which further comprises a stoppage means of power supply to the main capacitor,
 34. A flash device for a camera according to claim 18 in which the discharge tube has its trigger electrode close to its cathode.
 35. A flash device for a camera according to claim 18 in which The discharge tube has its trigger electrode arranged in a straight line almost parallel to the discharge current path.
 36. A photographic system for operating an artificial illuminator, comprising a controller coupled to said illuminator for controlling the quantity of light irradiated by the illuminator as a time integration of the time intensity, and operator adjustable means in said controller for varying the operation of said controller on the basis of the distance between the camera and the scene being illuminated.
 37. A photographing system according to claim 36 which further comprises a guide number operator.
 38. A photographing system according to claim 36 which further comprises a flash operator for flash photographing.
 39. A photographing system according to claim 36 which further comprises a photometric circuit for automatic flash exposure control.
 40. A photographing system according to claim 36 which further comprises a photometric circuit for EE operation.
 41. A photographing system according to claim 36 which comprises a reference pointer for diaphragm value.
 42. A photographing system according to claim 41 in which the reference pointor is pre-set by adjustment of a diaphragm ring.
 43. A photographing system according to claim 36 in which the controller comprises a detector of supplied voltage to the illuminators.
 44. A photographing system according to claim 43 in which the detector comprises an indicating means such as an ammeter.
 45. A photographing system according to claim 38 in which the flash operator comprises a flash exposure calculator and the flash operator is adjusted by the calculated value of the calculator.
 46. A photographing system according to claim 38 in which the illuminator is triggered by a synchronous starter.
 47. A photographing system according to claim 36 in which the illuminator comprises a discharge tube of tri-electrode type.
 48. A photographing system according to claim 36 in which the controller comprises a main capacitor and a sub-capacitor for intermittent successive illumination.
 49. A photographing system according to claim 36 in which the controller comprises a main capacitor and an auxiliary capacitor.
 50. A photographing system according to claim 49 which further comprises a stoppage means of power supply to the main capacitor.
 51. A photographing system according to claim 50 in which the operator is provided in a camera unit.
 52. A photographing system according to claim 36 in which the system is composed of three units of a camera unit, a flash unit and an adapter unit.
 53. A speed light control device for automatic light emission control of a photoflash discharge tube, comprising a main capacitor, means for discharging said main capacitor through said photoflash discharge tube, a controller including a by-pass discharge tube for bypassing current intended to flow through said photoflash discharge tube so as to end illumination of said photoflash discharge tube before said photoflash discharge tube has discharged the current from said main capacitor, means in said controller for presetting photographic information, a feedback circuit in said controller to adjust the time before said by-pass discharge tube ends illumination of said photoflash discharge tube, and means in said controller for responding to the voltage across said main capacitor to adjust the time before said by-pass discharge tube ends illumination by said photoflash discharge tube.
 54. A speedlight device, comprising a main capacitor, means for charging said main capacitor, a photoflash discharge tube, means for discharging said capacitor through said photoflash discharge tube, said photoflash discharge tube having an auxiliary electrode, an auxiliary capacitor, means for discharging said auxiliary capacitor, means for applying the charge across said auxiliary capacitor across said auxiliary electrode so as to render said photoflash discharge tube ready to light up, and a detecting circuit connected to Said means for discharging said main capacitor and including a neon discharge lamp and a photoelectric element for controlling the charging voltage of said main capacitor.
 55. Speed light device with variable light amount according to claim 54, characterized therein that parallel to the main capacitor a discharge circuit is provided which can be controlled by the out-put of the detecting circuit of the terminal voltage of the main capacitor.
 56. Speed light device with variable light quantity according to claim 54, characterized therein that in functional connection with the setting device of photographic informations in the exposure meter circuit of camera the charging voltage of the main capacitor of the speed light device is controlled.
 57. A speedlight device with a variable light output, comprising a main capacitor, a first electric source for charging said main capacitor, an auxiliary capacitor, a second electric source for charging said auxiliary capacitor, a photoflash discharge tube, an adjustable guide number setting mechanism, said main capacitor being charged to a predetermined voltage on the basis of the adjustment of said guide number setting mechanism, said auxiliary capacitor being charged to a given voltage high enough to permit said photoflash discharge tube to ignite, said main capacitor being connected to said photoflash discharge tube to discharge across said photoflash discharge tube and said auxiliary capacitor being connected to said auxiliary electrode to induce said photoflash discharge tube to ignite, said first electric source having a charging voltage controlling device.
 58. Speed light device with variable light amount according to the claim 57, characterized therein that the indication circuit is switched over in association with the guide number setting mechanism, whereby the indication of the meter shows the guide number as well as the readiness for the photoflash operation. 